FOUNDED 1920
April 2015—June 2015
VOLUME 24 No. 2
Editor: Norman Leach
403-620-4037 e-mail: [email protected]
The Royal Alberta United
Services Institute represents
members of the community
who are or were involved in
the military, peacekeeping,
business, academia, research, science and history
who are:
United in Service
Celebrating 95 years
of service
Inside this issue:
PADRE’S CORNER
2
EVENTS
3
AGM
6
CDS
7
RCAF Hon Colonel
11
MILITARY HISTORY
18
INTERESTING WEBSITES
19
Annual Father’s Day – 2015 Run & Walk
Sunday, June 21st, 2015 North Glenmore Park
Parking Lots E&F (story page 15)
PRESIDENT’S REPORT by Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) JJ Martin, CD
Since our last newsletter, we’ve hosted three luncheons at the Mess. Our first was a presentation on Sir Sam Steele by our own Norman Leach. Norm covered off the history of this
remarkable Canadian from the Fenian Raids to WW1. Our next event was a presentation by
Col Chuck Hamel relating to his three tours in Africa and Afghanistan. More importantly
was his discussion on the support he and his family have received from the Military Family
Resource Centre in Calgary. The third presentation was by Georges Couture, who told us
about his service in WW2, his landing on Juno Beach, his capture by the Germans, and his
survival of a death march near the end of the war. Oh, and he then decided that wasn’t
enough, signed up for Korea and made the military a career. These series of speakers took
us from just before Canadian Confederation to the modern day. I have enjoyed this series of
speakers, and hope to continue the same level of quality in the future.
The Levee was held on New Year’s Day, and the results of the annual Moose Milk
Challenge can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. A number of presentations have been
made to organizations by the Institute, and there are also short blurbs on those in the
newsletter.
The Calgary Garrison Officers Mess has a new Mess Manager, Capt Charlene Brien. The
Institute welcomes her to that position. Work continues to bring the kitchen up to standard,
and once that is achieved the Mess will take the next step to obtain a new in-house caterer.
(Con’t Page 2)
RAUSI NEWS
Page 2
My friend was shot down on his way back from bombing Dresden, Germany. It was
February 1945. There were no anti-aircraft defenses so they had been able to execute the
raid at low level. Taken by German troops to a POW Camp for Air Force prisoners he
was paraded before the Camp Commandant. The Luftwaffe Colonel declared that Air
Force people are special and they were all in this together. It turned out that Allied
POWs lived better than the surrounding German civilians since they got regular care
packages from the Red Cross. Some of the goodies were passed through the wire to German girls on the outside, for smiles and small souvenirs. Such is military custom between civilized nations, clearly above the practices of the political leadership of the day.
A sergeant once told our squad on basic training that each one of us has to look ourselves
in the mirror every day. There is such a thing as decency.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Con’t)
Planning has been initiated for a Golf Tournament to be held at Fox Hollow on 17 June.
That is a Wednesday, and we are looking at the afternoon. Hopefully we will have
enough participation to make this a successful event. Anticipated cost is $100 per
person. Watch RAUSI.ca for updates and if you can organize a group to participate,
please let Janyn know. We need at least 24 to 30 players to make this work. Deadline to
sign up is May 1, 2015.
Still no news on our pool table – it remains up for sale.
Information about our March 19 Annual general Meeting is elsewhere in this issue of the
newsletter.
What can you do to help move the Institute forward. Ideas and suggestions are welcome
– please forward them to Janyn in the office.
2015 EARLY BIRD MEMBERSHIP DRAW Maj (ret’d) Bruce Henwood MSM CD
On December 19, 2014 the annual RAUSI Early Bird Membership Renewal Draw was
conducted. The draw was done in conjunction with the Monthly Speaker’s Luncheon
featuring Norman Leach speaking on Sir Sam Steele. The draw is open to all Ordinary
Members of the Institute who renewed their membership for 2015 prior to the draw itself. The winners of the 2015 Early Bird Membership Renewal Draw are as follows:
Douglas Clark – A bottle of 12-year-old single malt scotch The Balvenie.
Gordon Aker – Four tickets to any RAUSI Monthly luncheon in 2015. Gordon graciously donated the tickets back to the Institute to be used to invite veterans to lunch!
Thank you Gordon.
BGen Bob Millar – The Vigil Book and Coin.
Ron Thompson – A gift certificate to Smitty’s Restaurant in Cochrane.
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to all the members who renewed early.
RAUSI NEWS is a quarterly publication of The Royal Alberta United Services Institute dedicated to the free expression of opinions and
views of the Institute, its members and other interested parties. The Editor welcomes contributions and comments reserving the right to edit it
for reasons of space and/or clarity. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor or the RAUSI. Contributions should be
addressed to the “Editor.” Issues will be sent in electronic format to those members with e-mail addresses or by fax. Members wishing to
receive a mailed copy please inform the Office Assistant. Copies are also posted on the RAUSI website at http://www.rausi.ca.
RAUSI NEWS
2015 MEMBERSHIPS PAST DUE
2015 RAUSI Membership renewals are
now past due. Delinquent members will
have by this time been contacted several
times as a reminder. Membership Renewal Invoices were sent by email in
November. RAUSI has been able to hold
the membership dues at our 2014 rates.
If you have not received your renewal
notice/invoice please contact Janyn in
the office at 403-265-6628 or by email at
[email protected] and confirm the correct
contact information or to request a second copy. It becomes an administrative
burden to have to remind Members to
pay their dues. If you have not received
a RAUSI 2015 Membership card – then
you have not renewed! Current membership is required to remain on the
Institute’s mailing lists for Newsletters,
The Annual Journal and upcoming
special events. If you have not renewed
please do so or if you are unsure please
contact Janyn in the office.
Your continued support of RAUSI is
appreciated and allows the Institute to
continue its activities.
Page 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday to Friday –
Daily Lunches and Bar service suspended for now,
Next RAUSI monthly Luncheon April 17th, 2015
3 April – Good Friday
9 April – RAUSI Board Meeting – 1800 hrs
9 April – Aero Space Museum of Calgary (ASMAC)
Movie Night – 1900 hrs
9-10 April – “Ready at a Moment’s Notice”
Conference at University of Calgary
10 April – RAUSI Lunch at 264 Legion
17 April – RAUSI Monthly Luncheon Speaker LCol Ross Wickware –
noon at CGOM/Dining Room
25 April – 100th Anniversary of ANZAC Day
1, 8, 15, and 29 May – RAUSI Lunch at 264 Legion
22 May – RAUSI Monthly Luncheon noon at CGOM/Dining Room
2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 May – Day Out With Thomas at Heritage Park (http://
www.heritagepark.ca/index.html)
3 May – Battle of Atlantic Sunday
5 May – TMM exhibit opening
14 May – RAUSI Board Meeting – 1800 hrs
5, 12, and 26 June – RAUSI Lunch at 264 Legion
7 June – Army Cadet Review of the 4 Calgary Highlander Cadet Corps
9 May – Bomber Command Nanton
9 May – Valour Canada Dinner
10 June – RAUSI Board Meeting – 1800 hrs
17 June – RAUSI Annual Golf Tournament – 1400 hrs at Fox Hollow Golf
Course (TBC)
19 June – RAUSI Monthly Luncheon noon at CGOM/Dining Room
20 June – Breakfast on the Bridge – 0500 hrs
21 June – Loops for the Troops, North Glenmore Park – 0900 hrs
3 July – Stampede Parade
10, 17, 24 and 31 July – RAUSI Lunch at 264 Legion
18-19 July – The Snowbirds perform in Springbank
9 August – Peacekeepers Day at Peacekeepers Park in Garrison Green –
1100 hrs
15 August – RAUSI Annual Summer BBQ (TBC)
1. Reservations are required. If you make reservations and cannot attend
please let the Office Assistant know a minimum of two days in advance or
unfortunately you will be required to reimburse the Institute for the
expenses incurred.
2. The Mess is available for members to book private functions from 5 to
95 people; we have our own Caterer who will be willing to work with you
in organizing your event either in the Mess or at another venue. Call the
Office Assistant or Mess Manager for more details.
3. If you wish to hold regular meetings during the lunch hour for your
organization or association, arrangements can be made depending upon the
size of your group, to use either the Card Room or the Dining Room.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 4
CDS STEPS DOWN, SEARCH ON FOR REPLACEMENT
General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff (and a recent visitor to RAUSI) announced early in March that he
plans to retire later this year. So the search is on for his successor.
Steven Chase, a reporter for the Globe and Mail, identified the top contenders in an article published on March 3, 2015.
His list: Lieutenant-General John Vance, Commander of Joint Operations Command, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman,
Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy; Lieutenant-General Mike Day, Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force
Command Naples and LGen Marquis Hainse, Commander of the Canadian Army.
An interesting perspective on the situation reported in the Globe on March 4 featured the thoughts of three prominent
Canadian analysts who specialize in military matters.
See http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/who-will-be-canadas-next-top-military-commander/
article23280961/
The unanimous consensus of the experts was that the job will most likely go to Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, not just
on his personal merit but also based on the fact that it has been a long time since a Navy officer was Chief of the Defence Staff.
It is certainly a deep pool of talent from which the government can make a choice.
Does anybody want to set up a betting pool?
NEW EXHIBITIONS AT THE FOUNDERS GALLERY THE MILITARY MUSEUMS
The Maple Leaf and the tulip: THE Liberation of Holland in the Second World War - Openiong May 2015
This exhibit will include artifacts and photos related to members of the Canadian military serving in the Netherlands in
the Second World War, as well as to Dutch civilians and members of the Dutch Resistance. Video oral history
interviews will also be shown as a central part of the exhibit, to let visitors understand the firsthand experience.
The exhibit will open May 5, 2015, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the final campaign to liberate the
Netherlands. Full coverage of Canadian involvement in the Netherlands will be showcased, including the reduction of
the Breskens pocket, the clearing of the Scheldt estuary, and the final campaign in 1945 towards Apeldoorn and beyond.
Operation Manna, the resupply of the starving Dutch populace at the end of the war, will also be featured.
Dutch War Brides Trees Heeft een Canadees by Beverly Tosh - 5 May - 15 August 2015
Brief romances with Canadian soldiers during the Second World War often grew into lifelong love and forever altered
the lives of many Dutch women, thousands of who traveled to Canada to be with their wartime loves after the war.
Artist Beverley Tosh shares many of their impressive stories in Trees Heeft een Canadees. Trees Heeft een Canadees,
or Teresa Has A Canadian, is a popular Dutch song telling the common story of many of these women: like Loes who
married in her Dutch army uniform and Olga who made her own wedding dress from a parachute.
After their marriages the Canadian soldiers left for home and the young women waited for a ship to take them to their
loved ones—a one way passage to Canada. Many would never see their families again. Upon arrival in a strange country
they often found that their new home was a wooden cabin on the prairie and their existence was full of poverty and
deprivation. But the occupation and liberation period had strengthened these young women and many would do anything
for love. Trees heeft een Canadees is a new exhibition that brings to life the romance, hardship, and reality of
the Dutch war brides who traveled to Canada.
This exhibition will consist of 23 wedding portraits and stories of Dutch women meeting their Canadian soldiers, all
researched by Beverly Tosh, herself a daughter of a war bride. The exhibition also includes an original wedding dress
made from a parachute, and documents, photo’s and films showing stories of the deep connections between Canadian
soldiers and the people of Holland.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 5
THE HONOURABLE JASON KENNEY
Minister of National Defence and Minister for Multiculturalism
Jason Kenney was born in Ontario and raised in Saskatchewan, where he
graduated from Notre Dame College. He did undergraduate studies in
philosophy at the University of San Francisco.
Mr. Kenney served as President of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation prior to
his election to the House of Commons in 1997 as Member of Parliament for
Calgary Southeast. He has been re-elected five times, most recently with 76% of
the vote.
He is a former Chairman of the House of Commons Subcommittee on
International Human Rights, and served in several positions in Opposition, including as Finance Critic and Deputy House Leader. Mr. Kenney became
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister in 2006, and Secretary of State
for Multiculturalism in 2007.
As Canada’s longest-serving Minister of Citizenship and Immigration from 2008 to 2013, Mr. Kenney implemented
comprehensive reforms to Canada’s immigration, refugee and citizenship programs, leading the National Post to call
him “perhaps Canada’s best immigration minister ever.”
From 2013 to 2015 he served as Minister of Employment and Social Development where he led wide-ranging reforms to
Canada’s job training programs, to help better prepare Canadians for the labour market.
In February 2015, he was appointed Minister of National Defence, serving the men and women of Canada’s Armed
Forces.
Mr. Kenney chairs the Cabinet Committee on Operations, is the Regional Minister for Southern Alberta, and sits on the
Cabinet Committee for Planning and Priorities.
He has been voted the “best overall” and “hardest working” MP by his colleagues in Maclean’s Magazine’s annual survey of parliamentarians.
RAUSI JANUARY MONTHLY LUNCHEON
At the Institute’s monthly luncheon on January 23 2015, Col Chuck
Hamel talked to a gathering of about 35 RAUSI members and guests
about the support provided to him and his family by the Military Family
Resource Centre (MFRC) here in Calgary, while he was deployed on
three separate missions since 2005.
Col Hamel provided an outline on some of the aspects of his missions,
but concentrated on the lasting effects that some of the actions during
the missions had left imprinted on him. He mentioned the support
activity that had been provided to him, but more importantly the support
that was provided to his family. Col Hamel has taken volunteerism to a
new level, with a concentration on areas that provide support to the
military, military families and veterans.
He recently became chair of the board of directors of the Calgary
Military Family Resource Centre, and also serves as Chair of the Friends
of the Colonel Belcher Society board. He is currently completing a
Masters Degree in Canadian Military and Strategic Studies at the
University of Calgary, and will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces
in May of this year.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 6
2015 RAUSI AGM - THE RESULTS ARE IN
The Royal Alberta United Services Institute held its Annual General Meeting on Thursday, March 19 with 21 persons in
attendance. No election for the Board was required as there were only sufficient candidates to fill the vacant positions
and therefore all were acclaimed into their respective offices.
Acclaimed as President, LCol JJ Martin, CD
Acclaimed as Vice President, HCol John Melbourne, CD
Acclaimed as Directors for a two-year term:
Dr. Bob Bergen
MWO Allan Hudak, CD
Mr. Eric Cameron
LCol Rick Wright, CD
The members of the Board who are continuing for
another year are:
Sgt John Bertram
Capt Phil Fisher, CD
Mr. Jack Fuchko
LCol Bill Schultz, CD, MSM
The Immediate Past President remains Mr. Brent
Felix
The Commander of CGOM is LCol David
Sweeney, CD The PMC of CGOM is Maj
Ryan Donahue, CD
The Board of Directors wishes to remind everyone
that volunteering to run for election to the Board is
the best way to ensure that RAUSI remains a
living entity that will have a future. It is by having
people step up to the plate that the
Institute will continue to have a place in our
community.
LCol Mike Vernon gives an update on 41 CBG activities at the 2015
annual general meeting.
The 2014 RAUSI Journal was distributed to
attendees at the annual general meeting. If you
have not yet received a copy, you can pick one up
from Janyn at the RAUSI office.
INTERESTING THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW!
A SHOT OF WHISKEY
In the old west a .45 cartridge for a six-gun cost 12 cents, so did a shot glass of whisky. If a cowhand was low on cash
he would often give the bartender a cartridge in exchange for a drink. This became known as a "shot" of whisky.
THE WHOLE NINE YARDS
American fighter planes in WW2 had machine guns that were fed by a belt of cartridges. The average plane held belts
that were 27 feet (9 yards) long. If the pilot used up all his ammo he was said to have given it the whole nine yards.
BUYING THE FARM
This is synonymous with dying. During WW1 soldiers were given life insurance policies worth $5,000. This was about
the price of an average farm so if you died you "bought the farm" for your survivors.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 7
RAUSI HOSTS CDS
On January 13, 2015 RAUSI had the distinct honour of hosting General Tom Lawson and Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West. The Meet and Greet consisted of having General Lawson give a presentation and answer questions. There were approximately 100 people in attendance. Following the Reception the General attended a Parade honouring the Calgary Highlanders and presented a Unit Commendation for the outstanding work that the Calgary Highlanders had done in Afghanistan. We hope that if other senior Military Personnel come to Calgary we can host other
events of this type.
It was a full house in the Calgary Garrison Officers’ Mess
Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer Kevin
West, RAUSI Vice President Honorary Colonel John Melbourne, Major Glen Parent from the Public Affairs Office
and the Chief of Defence Staff General Tom Lawson at the
Calgary Garrison Officers’ Mess.
(photo by MCpl Melanie Ferguson)
The Chief of Defence Staff General Tom
Lawson addressing the assembled
RAUSI members and invited guests.
The Chief of Defence Staff General Tom Lawson and RAUSI Past
President Major (ret’d) Bruce Henwood reminiscing about their days
at the Royal Military College as pipers in the Band
RAUSI NEWS
Page 8
RAUSI PRESENTATION TO THE FRIENDS OF THE COLONEL BELCHER SOCIETY
Looking after our veterans is a long-time
mandate of RAUSI. This presentation on
behalf of the R.A.U.S.I. Foundation maintains
this long-standing commitment on behalf of
our membership to those who have served our
country.
Col Chuck Hamel, Chair of the Friends of the
Colonel Belcher (FOCB) Society Board
accepted a cheque on behalf of the Society
from the R.A.U.S.I. Foundation.
Presentation to Col Chuck Hamel, Friends of Colonel Belcher (FOCB) Society by LCol (Ret’d) JJ Martin, President RAUSI
A CANADIAN LEGEND - SAM STEELE by Eric Cameron
The Mandate of the FOCB Society is to raise
funds to provide amenities and enhancements
for use by the residents and staff of the
Colonel Belcher, by helping to improve the
quality of care, comfort, service and
education; and to develop relationships and
friends, which will support fund raising
activities for major enhancements to the
Colonel Belcher Care Centre.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 9
THE HONOURABLE ERIN O’TOOLE
Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada
Erin O'Toole was first elected to the House of Commons in November 2012. He was
appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade in September 2013.
In January 2015, Mr. O'Toole was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs.
Mr. O'Toole graduated from the Royal Military College in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts
degree (Honours) and was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He
served at the Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, and as a Tactical Navigator on
the Sea King helicopter in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. Following completion of his service in
the regular forces, Mr. O'Toole transferred to the reserves and attended law school at
Dalhousie University. He graduated in 2003 and returned to Ontario, where he practiced
corporate law and litigation with two national law firms and served as in-house counsel to a
large consumer goods company.
Mr. O'Toole lives in Courtice, Ontario, with his wife Rebecca and their children Mollie and
Jack.
RAUSI MEMBERSHIP BOUNTY
The “New Recruit Bounty Program”, initiated in 2013, continued throughout 2014 with 9 RAUSI members being awarded their “bounty” for bringing in new Ordinary Members. Congratulations to those bounty hunters! The bounty is simple, for current Ordinary Members bringing in new Ordinary Members they will receive a one-time bounty of a $20 reduction in the subsequent year’s dues. For all other members bringing in a new Ordinary Member they will receive a $20
bar chit. Hopefully this will encourage word of mouth! Get your friends and colleague to join us at RAUSI!
LEGION OF HONOR PRESENTED TO CALGARIAN
Engaged with the Winnipeg Rifles Regiment, George Couture landed on Juno Beach in June 1944. Wounded during the
Normandy campaign and captured by the Germans, he spent a year as a prisoner of war before his liberation in 1945.,
He then joined the Princess Patricia ‘s Canadian Light Infantry and participated in the Korean War in 1952, and
eventually served 30 years in the armed forces.
To acknowledge his bravery, George Couture has been
awarded the Medal of the Legion of Honor, one of France’s
highest distinctions. A ceremony orchestrated by the
honorary Consul of France in Calgary Roy Klassen and
Mr. Gérard Carlier, ex-honorary Consul in Calgary and now
representing the Souvenir Français, was held in Calgary on
January 24th, 2015 at the Military Museum.
George Couture was accompanied with members of his
family, including RCMP Superintendant R (Bob) Couture,
MP Joan Crockatt, Calgary Centre, MLA Mike Ellis,
Calgary West and some veterans, cadets and members of the
National Defense Department (DND) and the director of the
French Alliance in Calgary.
George was the guest speaker at a RAUSI luncheon in
RAUSI Vice-President John Melbourne, veteran George Cou- February, talking about his experiences in both wars.
ture, and Calgary West MLA Mike Ellis at the February
RAUSI luncheon.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 10
RAUSI CALGARY POPPY FUND/VETERAN’S FOOD BANK DONATION
As you are aware, one of our principal mandates as an organization is looking after our veterans. At our monthly
luncheon on 19 December, 2014, RAUSI made a $5,000 donation to the Calgary Poppy Fund / Veteran's Food Bank on
behalf of the Institute and its members. The veterans’ food
bank mandate is:
To assist needy veterans, their widows and dependents with
medical, shelter, food and dental care, and to remind
Calgarians of the sacrifices that our Veterans have made so
that we can enjoy the freedom we have today.
Joey Bleviss, the Chief Administrative Officer was on hand
to receive the donation. He thanked the institute for the
donation and told us that since the beginning of October, Calgarians had donated approximately $300,000 to this
organization.
“Veterans needing to reach out to a food bank for support is
not where we want to be as a country, but having the
volunteers who provide support to our veterans through this
organization is a blessing. On that we hope can continue to be
supported by RAUSI for many years to come,” Bleviss said. RAUSI President JJ Martin presents a cheque to Joey Bleviss
NAVAL OFFICERS NATIONAL MEET IN CALGARY
From 25 to 28 June 2015, the Calgary Branch of the Naval Officers Association of Canada (NOAC) will host the Annual Conference of the Naval Association of Canada (NAC) at the ICT Building, University of Calgary.
The theme of the conference is Canada’s Third Ocean – Our Arctic Border.
This is a topic of great interest to all levels of government in the North, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the defence
industry and defence analysts, historians, academia, and of course, the companies developing natural resources in the
Arctic.
The conference will attract around 200 participants from across Canada. With the Arctic Institute of North America,
Centre for Military and Strategic Studies, and many northern-focused research projects housed at the University of Calgary, we anticipate excellent participation from academic circles as well.
The Conference programme on Friday and Saturday will cover such topics as:
A National Perspective
A Territorial Overview from the Premier of the Northwest Territories
Panel Sessions on:
Northern Operations by the RCN and Canadian Coast Guard)
Northern Exploration and Research
Law of the Sea
Arctic Council / Polar Commission
Arctic Sovereignty and Security
Social Events will include:
Friday evening reception in the Naval Museum at The Military Museums
Formal dinner at the Best Western Village Park Inn on Saturday evening
Partner Programme trips to Banff and Heritage Park
For further information and to register, go to the NAC website at http://www.navalassoc.ca and go to 2015 NAC AGM
AND CONFERENCE.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 11
ACTIVITIES OF AN RCAF HONORARY COLONEL by Honorary Colonel John Melbourne, CD
January 1 2015, along with other RAUSI members we attended the New Year’s Levees at The Garrison
Officers’ Mess at Mewata and the Ward Room at HMCS Techumseh. We also attended the Reception at
the Military Museums. The Annual Moose Milk Challenge took place with Mewata and Tecumseh
vying for this most prestigious award. The winner is announced elsewhere in this newsletter.
January 9 in conjunction with Major Glen Parent of DND Public Affairs we hosted the Chief of Defence
Staff General Tom Lawson accompanied by Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West. The
reception allowed those in attendance to ask the General many questions related to the current state of
our military.
January 23 we held the monthly RAUSI lunch in the dining room at Mewata. Our speaker was Colonel
Chuck Hamel who spoke about our current military‘s struggles with PTSD which gave food for thought.
It has proven that we know little about this terrible affliction and that steps have to be taken to fully
understand and be able to help our military personnel.
January 23 we attended the Winston Churchill Society Scotch tasting evening at Mewata .The evening
was co-hosted by the Calgary Highlanders. It was a very enjoyable evening.
January 24 along with other members of RAUSI, as well as members of the military, Valour Canada and other veterans attended a
meeting with Calgary MP Joan Crockett regarding Veterans Affairs. Ms. Crockett was accompanied by Laurie Hawn,
MP Edmonton Centre, who has been a driving force in getting fair treatment of our veterans from Veterans Affairs.
February 10 I travelled to Lethbridge to sit on” Mock Boards” for Air Cadets. This is to prepare the Cadets for attending the actual
boards to be interviewed for various Training Courses the Air Cadet Movement offers. The courses include: Flying, Gliding,
International Exchange just to name a few.
February 20 RAUSI Hosted the monthly lunch at Mewata: speaker was George Couture who just a few weeks earlier was awarded
the French Legion of Honour .George was awarded this Honour by the French Government for his participation in the D Day
Invasion. George spoke of his experiences on D Day and his subsequent Capture by the Nazi Army. He also spoke about his
experiences in Korea during the Korean War.
We will try to continue to Host these lunches monthly until such time as our Military Landlord carries out the necessary repairs to
the kitchen and hires a caterer. Currently RAUSI hires an outside caterer and it is unfortunate that some people still find reasons to
complain about things like cold plates.
February 27 I had the honour to present a cheque to Juneau Beach Academy on behalf of RAUSI. The cheque was to assist the
school in taking students to Normandy and Vimy Ridge later this year.
March 27 as an Honorary Colonel, along with other Honorary Colonels, was invited to a dinner meeting with Alberta Premier Jim
Prentice and Mr. Jeff Johnson MLA responsible for interface between the Alberta government and the Department of National
Defence. Also in attendance was Edmonton Centre MP Laurie Hawn and His Honour The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Donald
Ethell. It gave me an opportunity to bring to everyone’s attention the problems facing our military personnel in Cold Lake to find
affordable housing.
March 19 the Annual General Meeting of the Royal Alberta United Services Institute was held at Mewata. I look forward to Serving
as Vice President to President JJ Martin for another year.
On March 20 I hosted the 17th Annual Calgary RCAF Mess Dinner at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary. This year we recognized
the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The Guest of Honour was Major General Pierre St Amand. “Stammer” who is currently
serving as J3 at NORAD Headquarters in Colorado Springs.
Upcoming events I look forward to attending:; April 25 the 100 th Anniversary of ANZAC Commemoration; May 1 Home Opening
Show in Moose Jaw of the Snowbirds; May 9 The Bomber Command Museum in Nanton which will hold a Fund Raising Dinner;
May 22 the 15th Anniversary of HMCS Calgary in Esquimalt.; and June 20 will be the second Annual Breakfast on The Bridge Fund
Raiser Breakfast with proceeds to the Military Family Resource Centre.
SIC ITURE AD ASTRA
"Blue"
John E. Melbourne CD
Honorary Colonel 410 Tactical Fighter (OT) Squadron
"NOCTIVAGA"
RAUSI NEWS
Page 12
RCAF NAMES CF-18 DEMONSTRATION TEAM PILOT by David Pugliese
Published on: December 21, 2014
The Royal Canadian Air Force has announced the appointment of Captain Denis “Cheech” Beaulieu as the pilot for the
2015 CF-18 Demonstration Team. Flying his specially painted CF-18 commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle
of Britain, Capt Beaulieu will wow crowds around the continent during the 2015 air show season.
A native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Capt Beaulieu joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2006 with the ambition of
becoming a fighter pilot. Just five years later, he fulfilled that dream when he completed his CF-18 training and was
posted to 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec.
Quick Facts
The CF-18 Demonstration Team selects a theme for each year and 2015 will feature the 75th anniversary of the Battle
of Britain. The specially painted CF-18 Hornet will feature a unique commemorative paint job designed by veteran
Design Director, Jim Belliveau, at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta. The Demo Hornet will be revealed later in 2015 prior to
the start of the air show season.
Beaulieu is currently a member of 425 “Alouettes” Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing Bagotville. Prior to joining the
military he graduated in 2005 with a mechanical engineering degree from Sherbrooke University and from an
engineering school in Paris, France, where he spent two years as an exchange student.
During his time at 425 Squadron, Capt Beaulieu has participated in multiple training missions and exercises all over
Canada, the USA and even South America. He also conducted many missions in Canada, as well as NATO missions in
Iceland and Romania. He has over 1,100 flying hours on high performance military aircraft, including 780 hours on the
CF-18 Hornet.
In late April, Captain Beaulieu will take to the skies over Comox, BC, where the team conducts its annual training
before launching the 2015 air show season.
RAUSI PRESENTATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
On January 23rd RAUSI presented a cheque to the University of Calgary History Graduate Students Union. These funds
will be used to support open presentations to the public on military historical topics at The Military Museums.
Presentation of a cheque from RAUSI to Louis
Halewood, President of the History Graduate Students
Union, University of Calgary by LCol (Ret’d) JJ Martin,
President RAUSI. Joining in the presentation were
Will Pratt, Co-Chair of the New Perspectives
Committee and John Ferris (background), Faculty Advisor
RAUSI NEWS
Page 13
MOOSE MILK CHALLENGE
Every year on the 1st of January members of RAUSI and the military community
attend the annual New Year’s Levees to kick off the New Year. One of the items
that has been in place for the last nine years is the annual Moose Milk Challenge
and the Clam Chowder Cup.
First the bad news – there were no entries in the Clam Chowder Cup and thus your
judging team was unable to declare a winner. But the story differs in the area of the
Moose Milk challenge. Here there was a bit of a revitalisation. RAUSI, the Calgary
Garrison Officer’s Mess (CGOM) and HMCS Tecumseh all placed their own
version of Moose Milk out for consumption.
This years judges consisted of Lieutenant-Colonel Ross Wickware, Commanding Officer of the King’s Own Calgary
Regiment, Major Tim Wallace, Officer Commanding 746 Squadron, 41 Signals Regiment, Honorary Colonel John
Melbourne , 410 Squadron, Colonel (Retired) Roy Boehli, former Commander 41 Canadian Brigade Group and
Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) JJ Martin, President of RAUSI. In a close 3:2 vote, it was declared that the CGOM Moose
Milk took the Challenge Cup. But more, after the competition it was found that The Military Museums had done up a
Moose Milk and will become part of the competition on 1 January 2016.
Congratulations to CGOM, and lets see if they can defend their victory in 2016.
CALGARY PARKING AUTHORITY - VETERANS PARKING PROGRAM
There has been some discussion with regards to the paid parking at Mewata Armoury. The Calgary Parking Authority has
a Veterans Parking Program available that covers up to $10 of paid parking a month. This amount can be used to offset
parking costs for events and activities at Mewata Armoury and indeed in any Calgary Parking Authority parking lot.
“This new program is easily integrated into our parking system. Because ParkPlus is license plate based, we can quickly
and easily provide parking credits to individuals with veterans’ license plates,” said Troy McLeod, CPA General
Manager.
To participate in the parking program, veterans must have a ParkPlus cell phone account that contains their veterans’
license plate and they must notify the CPA that they would like to enroll in the program. Once they are enrolled, they
will automatically receive $10 of parking credits each month for each veteran’s license plate in their account. Monthly
credits are not refundable or cumulative from year to year.
To sign up for a ParkPlus cell phone account, veterans may go online to www.parkplus.ca, call a ParkPlus representative
at 403-537-7275 or visit the Calgary Parking Authority office weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Veterans who do not have a cell phone but would like to participate in the program are asked to contact the Calgary
Parking Authority.
For your information regarding the Mewata Parking Lot
LOT 64 (Zone 9064)
Millennium Park South
825 – 11 Street SW (South of Mewata Armoury)178 stall Pay-and-Display lot
Rates (GST Included)
Daytime Mon - Fri (06:00 - 18:00):1$1.25 per ½ hr for the first 4 hrs (min purchase $1.25)1$1.50 per ½ hr after the
first 4 hrs
Daytime Sat, Sun (06:00 - 18:00):
$1.25 per ½ hr for the first 4 hrs (min purchase $1.25),
$1.50 per ½ hr after the first 4 hrs
Everyday BETWEEN 16:00-06:00*1$0.50 per ½ hr to MAX of $2.00 (min purchase $0.50)
Purchases PRIOR to 16:00 Everyday, Daytime rates apply until 18:00
RAUSI NEWS
Page 14
41 CANADIAN BRIGADE GROUP by Col John Conrad
On behalf of all the full-time and part-time soldiers of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, please accept my warmest greetings to all
RAUSI members.
My job is as simple as it is fantastic— to generate operationally ready Canadian soldiers. Can you think of more worthwhile and
rewarding task for any leader? What I care about most is generating soldiers who can fight and win physically and mentally in
whatever environment they find themselves. We are on track with this mission set. I’m excited about the coming training year and it
is game on right now.
The RAUSI mission in support of the Canadian Military, Canadian youth and our community is aligned so very well with our own.
Thank you for your continued efforts.
In this issue of the RAUSI newsletter, I would like to update you on three exciting initiatives within our Brigade.
Domestic Operations. The Brigade has a standing task to generate a Territorial Battalion Group (TBG) for employment on domestic
operations. The TBG, called Task Force SILVERTIP, consists of a headquarters and one or more Direct Response Companies
(DRCs). This year LCol Ross Wickware has been appointed as the Commanding Officer of the TBG in addition to his primary
appointment commanding the King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC). The Brigade conducted two domestic operations
exercises Red Deer in January and February. The training tested the ability of the TBG HQ to act in a Level 6 (Battle Group)
capacity. During the February exercise the key battle task standards were confirmed by BGen Rob Roy McKenzie, the
Deputy Commander of 3rd Canadian Division. The TBG leadership proved themselves fully up to the task of ensuring effective
command and control in a potential domestic emergency. Bottom line, the TBG is fully prepared for the domestic operations
season in Alberta if needed.
Influence Activities Company. 3rd Canadian Division directed that our Brigade establish an Influence Activities Company
(IA Coy). The IA Coy is organized as a sub-unit of the Brigade Headquarters. The IA Coy is commanded by Maj Fiona McLean
and consists of a Company Headquarters, an Influence Activities Coordination Centre (IACC) and a number of Civil-Military
Cooperation (CIMIC) and Psychological Operations (PsyOps) Teams. The staffing and development of the IA Coy has made
good progress over the last quarter, and promises to continue doing so over the next six months. We have posted 11
soldiers into the IACC for the next two to three years from our nine units. In order to ensure that there are ample soldiers within
the Brigade as a whole available to attend IA training throughout the year, each Unit has been directed to identify three
additional soldiers who will look to get some level of IA qualification over the next year on a part time basis. We are excited to
move forward with training and building our IA capacity further.
Summer Concentration. The Brigade's summer concentration, Exercise GRIZZLY DEFENDER 15, will leverage the gains made in
the summer of 2014 between the Brigade and the United States Army National Guard. Two platoon-sized elements from the
81st Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Washington Army National Guard will augment Task Force GRIZZLY. These
elements will consist of a Medium Truck Platoon and an Infantry Platoon from the 1-161 Infantry Regiment (which has had a
social relationship with the Calgary Highlanders for several decades). These assets will allow the brigade to maintain seamless
sustainment during the exercise, as well as augment our infantry to provide a Company (+) of soldiers.
2014-15 will mark a number of new senior appointments within the Brigade, specifically:
LCol Eric Gilson assumed command of 41 Signal Regiment (RCCS) on 13 September 2014 from LCol Natalie De Roij who has
been appointed G6 Reserve Advisor at 3 Cdn Div HQ. Concurrently CWO Bob Prospero was appointed Regimental Sergeant
Major replacing CWO Ian Power who is retiring.
LCol Troy Steele assumed Command of the South Alberta Light Horse (RCAC) on 14 September 2014 from LCol Colin Michaud
who is retiring.
Maj Howard Han assumed command of 20 Independent Field Battery (RCA) on 8 November 2014 from Capt Scott Dawson who has
transferred back to the RegF and is working at the G3 shop within 3 Cdn Div HQ.
LCol Dave Sweeney assumed command of 41 Service Battalion on 29 October 2014 from LCol Dan Beauchamp who has been
appointed G4 Reserve Advisor at 3 Cdn Div HQ.
Mr. James Cox was appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 41 Service Battalion effective 3 February 2015.
Maj Jeff Wilson will be assuming command of 20 Field Regiment (RCA) on 18 April 2015 from LCol Darrell Paquette who will
appointed the 3 Cdn Div Res LO to 1 CMBG.
Lastly, I would like to again publically recognize LCol Kyle Clapperton, CWO Chris Tucker and the officers and NCMs of the
Calgary Highlanders for their incredible commitment to the war in Afghanistan. On 9 January 2015, Gen Tom Lawson awarded the
Calgary Highlanders the CAF Unit Commendation in recognition of the significant contribution made by members of the Regiment
to the mission. From 2001 to 2011, the Calgary Highlanders deployed 126 soldiers from a unit of 111 personnel or a 107%
deployment rate, significantly more than any other Reserve unit in the Canadian Army.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 15
LOOPS FOR THE TROOPS by LCol (ret’d) Bill Schultz, CD, MSM
LOOPS FOR THE TROOPS (LFTT) was founded by Michael Hornburg in memory of his son Corporal Nathan
Hornburg, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) and King's Own Calgary Regiment, who was killed in action on
24 September 2007, while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Nathan was born on
Father’s Day.
Since the first run in June 2008, LFTT has grown to honour the sacrifices of all the men and women who have served,
and continue to serve, at home and abroad, in the name of freedom. This includes past and present members of the
Canadian Forces, as well as First Responders from Calgary Police Service (CPS), RCMP, Firefighters, EMS and Peace
Officers across the nation.
Loops for the Troops (LFTT) 2015 is sponsored by the R.A.U.S.I. Foundation and will be held on Fathers’ Day 21 June
2015 at 09:00 at parking lots E and F in North Glenmore Park. LFTT 2015 will be a 10K run/walk, a 5K run/walk and a
2km walk either individually or as a team (minimum 4 members). Opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m., followed by
the singing of our national anthem and the recitation of the “Loops for the Troops Runners Prayer” by the Royal Alberta
United Services Institute Chaplain (Major (Ret’d) Lloyd Northcott). Various dignities will be in attendance from the
National, Provincial and Municipal levels. There will also be a static military display provided by the Lord Strathcona’s
Horse (Royal Canadians) and 41 CBG as well as Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, other First
Responders and charitable associations who support the fallen, injured, veterans and their families. You can register to
participate in the event or exercise the options to make a donation to the event or to sponsor a participant. For more information on the event we invite you to visit our web site at www.rausi.com, www.events.runningromm.com or at
www.loopsforthetroops.ca.
The R.A.U.S.I. Foundation is operated by a Board of Directors which raises funds through activities such as the ‘Loops
for the Troops Run’, bequests, donations in lieu of flowers, and gifts from organizations. Each year we plan to raise
$60,000.00 to support our various requests, and to develop an Endowment Fund to ensure the long term viability of our
aims.
Funds raised will be disbursed by The R.A.U.S.I Foundation, a registered charity, to the local community and may include the following:
 The Military Family Resource Centre
 The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund and Veterans’ Food Bank
 The Peacekeeper Park Wall of Honour
 The Calgary Police Service Benevolent Fund
 Friends of the Colonel Belcher Veterans Hospital Society
 The Military Museums to support education programs for students
 Army, Navy and Air Force Cadet Organizations.
 Post-Secondary Scholarship Bursaries for Cadets
 Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital to support the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers
The Juno Beach Academy For more information on the event we invite you to visit our web site at www.rausi.com,
www.events.runningromm.com or at www.loopsforthetroops.ca.
We will require support from our RAUSI membership in the form of volunteers as well as promoting the event to friends
and family. If you wish to volunteer please contact the LFTT 2015 volunteer coordinator Linda Wright at [email protected] or the RAUSI Personal Assistant Janyn Bertram at [email protected]. If you wish to make a donation please contact Bill Schultz at [email protected] or the RAUSI Personal Assistant Janyn Bertram at [email protected].
Please mark 21 June 2015 on your calendar so you can attend the next Loops for the Troops walk/run in support of past
and present members of the Canadian Forces, as well as First Responders from Calgary Police Service (CPS), RCMP,
Firefighters, EMS and Peace Officers across the nation. Remember you do not have to run but you may wish to make a
donation or sponsor a runner in support of this very significant charitable event. You can donate online through the
Loops web site at http://www.loopsforthetroops.ca/
RAUSI NEWS
NEWS FROM THE MILITARY MUSEUM
Page 16
by KC Richards
Driving down Crowchild Trail in Calgary you can’t miss the fighter jet pointed skywards here at The Military Museums.
The Calgary landmark CF-5 is about to get some company. It will soon be joined by a CL-13 Sabre coming this summer
to the Air Force Museum of Alberta’s Cold War exhibit and will be flanked by two more classic fighter aircraft in the
CF-104 Starfighter and the CF-18 Hornet. The exhibit is expected to fully open in the Fall of 2015.
The Cold War exhibit is not the only big news coming out of TMM. The Military Museums Foundation has
reconstituted their board this year. Among the likeminded Calgarians who make up the new TMMF board is Nick
Twyman, who was named Chair.
Staying with TMMF news, we are excited to announce that TMMF and the Honourable Guard (HG) are teaming up to
ensure children continue to receive Alberta curriculum based education programming at TMM. Moving forward, the
efforts of the HG will support the education programs that reach over 10,000 school children each year here at TMM.
Spring and summer are always a busy time at TMM and this year is proving to be no exception. The Founders’ Gallery
will host two new exhibitions that commemorate the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Holland. The Maple Leaf and
the Tulip is a heritage exhibit that explores Canada’s role, as well as that of the civilian population and the Dutch
resistance, in the liberation of Holland.
Alongside that exhibit will be Trees Heeft een Canadees; an art exhibition which shares the reality of Dutch war brides
who travelled to Canada and stories of the deep connections between Canadian soldiers and the people of Holland. For
more information on these exhibits please visit themilitarymuseums.ca/whats-new.
You can stay up to date on all of the events, openings, and exhibits happening at TMM by subscribing to monthly
e-newsletter Mural of Honour. To subscribe, please email [email protected] saying you would like to
subscribe. You can also follow us on Twitter (@TMM_yyc) and Facebook for military history trivia, photos, and updates
around TMM and its member galleries.
3 DIV COMMANDER AT U of C STUDENT CONFERENCE
Brigadier-General Wayne Eyre, Commander of 3 rd Canadian Division (the Army in the West, or what we used to know
as Land Force Western Area) and Commander, Joint Task Force West, was a keynote speaker at the 17th annual S3C
student conference at the University of Calgary on March 7, 2015.
His topic was “The Army After Afghanistan.”
He started by suggesting that we are presently in an “inter-war”, not a “post-war” environment.
He listed eight specific “lessons learned” from Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan.
We need to understand the mission and the environment.
Canadians are good at coalition warfare. One example is how we embedded senior leaders in partner headquarters.
Relationships matter. And it takes time and effort to build relationships.
We confirmed that Canadians can fight.
Canadians are good at training others.
IEDs matter. We learned a lot about this threat.
Boots on the ground count, but enablers play a significant role. Examples include strategic airlift, helicopters, and
state-of-the-art kit for soldiers.
The approach that works is downloading responsibility to the lowest level possible. Junior officers and enlisted personnel in Afghanistan were making important strategic and tactical decisions.
General Eyre said that our long tenure in Afghanistan came at the expense of some other capabilities, such as winter operations. However, now the Army is acting to strengthen those capabilities.
He also pointed out that programs such as that offered by the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies are important for
developing an informed body of civilian knowledge and commentary on matters military.
RAUSI has been a financial supporter of the S3C conference for several years. The conference provides an opportunity
for students of strategic studies from across the country and around the world to present papers based on their research to
a critical audience.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 17
REMEMBER GALLIPOLI APRIL 25 2015
2015 marks the 100 year anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops in Turkey during World War
One.
For over 30 years the Australian & New Zealand community in Calgary has been holding ANZAC DAY memorial services at Central Memorial Park on 25th April.
The word ANZAC is an acronym for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, the two Divisions 30,000 man forces of
volunteers who landed at ANZAC COVE one the west coast of the Gallipoli Peninsular at dawn on 25 th April 2015.
The word ANZAC has passed into our language and the 25th April is honoured in Australia and New Zealand with all
the ceremony that 11th November is in Canada. The word ANZAC is protected by an Act of Parliament and cannot be
used in any commercial context.
ANZAC Day is always commemorated on the actual date and never on the nearest Sunday or Monday.
On this day Australians and New Zealanders remember all those who have served and those who have died in the cause
of freedom and service to the Crown during the Sudan, South African, 1914-1918, 1939-1945, Korean, Vietnam, Malaya, Borneo, East Timor, Gulf War, Middle East and many other campaigns to achieve peace in our time.
During WW2 Australian and New Zealand airmen were stationed in Calgary and Southern Alberta for training with the
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). In 2004 a monument was unveiled at Central Park to acknowledge
their participation.
Many of the Airmen married in Calgary and chose to raise their families in our city. They contributed to the volunteer
spirit so prevalent in Calgary.
We have arranged the following celebrations on April 25, 2015 to commemorate this event.
a) Ceremony at the Cenotaph (corner 4th St & 12th Ave SW) at 2.pm (arrive for 1.45pm)
b) 3 Course Dinner at the Kensington 264 Legion at 5pm $38.50 per person (kids welcome)
c) Free Showing of Gallipoli at the Kensington Plaza Theatre at 9pm
Join in for all 3 events lined up for the 25 th April OR select from these events.
Must Register for the Dinner as soon as possible as we have only limited seats for the dinner function:
http://www.downunderclubcalgary.com/registration.html
THE ROYAL CANADIAN MINT CELEBRATES CANADIAN HISTORY
As Canada prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation
in 2017, the Royal Canadian Mint proudly celebrates the 200th anniversary of the
birth of the nation's primary architect and first Prime Minister: Sir John A.
Macdonald
On July 1, 1867, the Dominion of Canada was created, and Sir John Alexander
Macdonald, a key architect of Canadian
Confederation, became the new nation's first
Prime Minister. Knighted by Queen Victoria
for his role in Canadian Confederation, Sir
John A. Macdonald led the nation until his
death in 1891, with only a single interruption
in his leadership, from 1873 to 1878.
Macdonald's tireless work sowed the seeds of the sovereign nation of Canada.
Coins are available from the Royal Canadian Mint and from various Canada Post
outlets.
RAUSI NEWS
Page 18
TODAY IN MILITARY HISTORY
1 April 1969 – The Hawker Siddeley Harrier enters service with the RAF
5 April 1955 – Sir Winston Churchill resigns as Prime Minister due to poor health
8 April 2007 – 6 Canadian soldiers die after striking an IED in Afghanistan
11 April 1713 – France under the Treaty of Utrecht gives Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to Great Britain
13 April 1970 – Apollo 13 announces “Houston, we’ve got a problem!”
15-16 April 1912 – The liner Carpathia rescues 705 survivors of the Titanic
19 April 1904 – The Great Toronto Fire burns 14 acres of downtown Toronto destroying more than 100 buildings
22 April 1915 – Germans first chlorine gas attack on French troops during the 2 nd Battle of Ypres
26 April 1945 – Canada’s last cruiser HMCS Ontario is commissioned
29 April 1813 – Rubber is patented
1 May 1920 – The Toronto Scottish Regiment is formed
5 May – Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in Mexico when the Mexican Army defeated the superior French Army at the
Battle of Puebla in 1862
11 May 1940 – Canadian born Lord Beaverbrook becomes the British Minister of Aircraft Production
14 May 2003 – First of 80 modernized CF-18’s accepted into service
15 May 1957 – Great Britain tests its first hydrogen bomb in Operation Grapple
21 May 1991 – A bomb hidden in a bouquet of flowers kills former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
21 May 1998 – Oberon class submarine, HMCS Ojibwa conducts her final sail past in Halifax
23 May 1873 – North West Mounted Police is formed
26 May – Artillery Day is celebrated
29 May 1916 – LGen Julian Byng assumes command of the Canadian Corps
3 June 1885 – Sam Steele’s NWMP detachment fights Big Bear’s Cree warriors at the Battle of Steele Narrows, SK
6 June 1944 – Operation Neptune commences with Canadian paratroopers and glider troops assaulting Normandy
7 June 1832 – Cholera epidemic claims 6000 lives in Lower Canada
9 June 1970 – RCAF drop relief parcels to earthquake devastated Peru
14 June 1617 – The first French family settles and starts cultivating land just outside Quebec City
18 June – Ramadan begins
21 June 2001 – The Aboriginal Veterans Monument in Ottawa is unveiled
26 June 1946 – Canadian Air Cadets become Royal Canadian Air Cadets
29 June 1922 – France grants Canada 100 hectares (247 acres) of land surrounding Vimy Ridge
30 June 1992 – The UN orders 850 Canadian peacekeeping troops to seize and hold the Sarajevo airport
HEART WARMING STORY OF A PIPER PLAYING AT A FUNERAL
Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment
of life. As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man.
He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country. As I was not familiar
with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the
diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late.
I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to
play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and
friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played "Amazing Grace", the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed
up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen anything like that before, and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."
Apparently, I'm still lost.... it's a man thing!
RAUSI NEWS
Page 19
WEBSITES OF INTEREST
Esprit de Corps Magazine focused on the Canadian Military
http://espritdecorps.ca/home
The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa
http://www.warmuseum.ca/home/
The Canadian Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank; description, variants, specifications, weapons and photo gallery
http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/vehicles/leopard-2a4-tank.page
The Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship Project
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/canada-issues-rfp-for-cdn-29b-joint-support-ship-project-updated-02392/
International Community for the Relief of Suffering & Starvation (ICROSS)
http://www.icross.ca/
M982 Excalibur GPS guided artillery shell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M982_Excalibur
Parks Canada – The 2014 Franklin Expedition culminating with the discovery of HMS Erebus
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/culture/franklin/index.aspx
The First Nations of Southern Alberta – Blackfoot, Blood, Peigan, Stoney and Sarcee Nations
http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_treaties/fp_treaties_treaty7.html
New Canadian Army Rations
http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/news-publications/national-news-details-no-menu.page?doc=poutine-anyonedeveloping-new-canadian-combat-rations/i55aqriv
Avialogs is an online not for profit organization based in Canada, an aviation library whose goal is to promote
conservation of aviation related literature and documents and make it available as electronic media.
http://www.avialogs.com/
CALGARY GARRISON OFFICERS’ MESS INFO
RAUSI CONTACT INFO
Mess Commanding Officer:
LCol Dave Sweeney, CD
Office Assistant: Janyn Bertram
1000 to 1500 hrs Monday through Thursday
President Mess Committee: Maj Ryan Donahue, CD
Mess Manager: Capt Charlene Brien
Phone: 403-410-2320 ext 3414
e-mail: [email protected]
Calgary Garrison Officers’ Mess,
Mewata Armoury, 801-11th St SW,
Calgary, AB, T2P 2C4
Phone: 403-265-6628 (leave a message)
Fax: 587-747-2310
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.rausi.ca
Address:
RAUSI, Mewata Armoury, 801-11th Street SW
Calgary, AB, T2P 2C4
IN MEMORIAM
Elizabeth (Liz) Thompson
Wife of RAUSI Past President Col Lee Thompson CD
21 February 2015 in Calgary